SXSW: 2 Dead, 23 Injured After Hit & Run In Downtown Austin

How devastating. Another successful night at the Austin cultural festival was winding down when an alleged intoxicated driver barreled into a crowd of people, killing two and injuring at least another 23. Five of those festival-goers are now in critical condition after the senseless, gruesome accident.

A fun night at South By Southwest in Austin, Texas turned tragic early on the morning of March 13 when an alleged drunk driver fleeing police plowed through barricades and struck a large group of people at the festival. Two people were killed by the senseless act, and 23 were injured — five critically — while the police were able to detain the person behind the wheel, who will be charged with capital murder and vehicular assault.

Tragic Accident Kills Two At SXSW

The two people who died in the accident were on light motorcycles, Art Acevedo, chief of Austin Police Department, told CNN. At least 23 other people were hospitalized following the incident, and some suffered multiple internal injuries.

The alleged drunk driver had been speeding away from cop cars when it ran into the SXSW crowd. Police had spotted the suspect driving in the wrong direction, but he sped away when authorities first tried to detain him. And that’s when he ran into the festival.

“It looked like something out of a movie,” Russ Barone, who was at the scene, said. The aftermath was grisly, with people lying on the street covered in blood. “A few people lying on the street … with their friends around them trying to get them up, trying to get them back to life. Hopefully, they are,” Russ added.

After the considerable damage was done, police were able to catch the suspected intoxicated driver. The suspect (a name has not yet been revealed) is in custody and faces two counts of capital murder and 23 counts of aggravated assault by vehicle.

This is just so horrible, especially since it happened at such a joyous event. Our thoughts go out to everyone who was affected by the accident, as well as their families and friends.